There will be five co
mmercial vendors (Chanthorn Orchids\, Forestview Gardens\, Kitty’s Orchids
\, Paramount Orchids and Tropical Garden Orchids) and a number of hobby ve
ndors selling amazing orchids at great prices. We will also have a member
’s display table\, raffle draws on the hour and potting demonstrations at
11am\, 1pm and 2pm.

“
Speaker Melissa McCormick – Principal Investigator and Research Scientist
at The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Melissa is a leading exp
ert in the field of orchid ecology where she examines the effects of envir
onment conditions and the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi (those amazing un
derground networks that help orchids thrive and survive) as drivers of orc
hid flowering and distribution. She is also currently studying specific ba
cteria that live within the fungi and how they affect their formation and
growth. Melissa will be joining us in the field to see first-hand the wond
erful species that flourish in our unique environment\, and on Saturday ev
ening she will share with us some insights into her research about orchids
and the fungi that are critical to their very existence.” – source: event
website\, retrieved May 10\, 2018